METHADONE AVAILABILITY DANGEROUS TO CITIZENS

Methadone, Available in Madison, Is a Horrible Drug That Is
Detrimental to Society in General.

Two locations in Madison distribute drugs to recovering heroin
addicts: one on East Washington and the other on Ann Street. These
clinics give out methadone and suboxone, two substances that work like
opiates on the brain, binding to the same receptors as heroin and
oxycontin. The belief is that these substitute drugs will slowly allow
addicts to withdraw from their dependency and help them to re-enter
society.

The distinguishing characteristic of methadone is an extended
half-life. Unlike other commonly abused substances, a normal dose of
methadone lasts from 24 to 36 hours in the human liver. This also
makes the euphoric effects of the drug much less. Patients of a
methadone maintenance program are usually given one dose per day in
liquid (or capsule) form, according to their individual response. This
allows patients to avoid painful craving and withdrawal symptoms for
the duration of their methadone-induced trips.

Most proponents accept the possibility that doses of methadone will
slip out into the public as collateral damage. In fact, studies
conducted by the Committee of Methadone Program Administrators (COMPA)
have estimated the economic value of methadone is a $4 profit for
every $1 spent.

Methadone is not a piece of collateral to overlook, because its
overdose statistics are near the top of Class II Narcotics.

One of the most abused drugs, methadone causes twice as many deaths as
heroin. This also means the drug's fatality numbers are second only to
cocaine. Moreover, the deaths are mostly a result of common
misconceptions by doctors and users alike.

For physicians, methadone's varying effects on the body are difficult
to predict and sometimes cause them to accidentally over-prescribe
doses to patients. Because of its extended half-life, the methadone
can stay in the body for hours or days before the dosage has built up
sufficient fatty tissue.

Conversely, the average person is unaware of the effects. A buddy of
mine who claimed to have access to methadone once informed me that
taking the drug was, "Sweet, man, it is like heroin but, without the
side effects. Man." I believed him at the time, having heard similar
information from other people as well. We all remember from sex-ed
that your friends are the best sources of information.

Needless to say, it is puzzling to think there can be so many
accidental overdoses, especially with a drug that is used essentially
as a nicotine patch for heroin users. If you covered yourself with
nicotine patches, you would probably die too.

If methadone is a bigger killer than the rest of its ilk, then maybe
now I can better understand what is written on the inside divider of a
certain bathroom stall, "Heroin is my anti-drug."